While Bettis was continuing his activities as Trance And The Arcade, he was recruited for All Scars, a group with a constantly evolving set and cast of musicians, including many of DC's luminaries, such as Fidelity Jones's Jerry Busher, Fugazi's Brendan Canty, Beefeater's Dug Birdzell, and Make*Up's James Canty. During All Scars lifetime, both Busher & Bettis would remain in every incarnation of the group.

The All Scars sound was amorphous in nature, incorporating any and all sounds, scales, or structures into their improv/compositions as deemed necessary. Overall eschewing music genres altogether, All Scars caused many to challenge their perceptions of music and performance. This unit put out 5 records in its 6 years of existence, and toured Japan, Europe, and the U.S.